Substitute Ivan Mesik struck in the sixth minute of stoppage time on October 13, 2026, securing a dramatic 2-2 draw for Charlton Athletic against Burnley at Turf Moor. The late equalizer denied the hosts a home victory and left Burnley manager Nicky Hayen lamenting another costly late concession in the Championship.
The match was slipping away from the visitors when Ivan Mesik arrived in the penalty area during the dying moments of the fixture. Introduced in the 75th minute, the Slovakia international read the danger and tightened Charlton’s back line before manufacturing the game’s decisive moment. Harvey Knibbs slipped the ball into space on the left, allowing Mesik to arrow a low, first-time left-footed finish across goalkeeper Gregoire Coudert into the bottom right corner.
Jacob Bruun Larsen Opens Scoring for Burnley
Burnley entered the contest looking to build on an emphatic 4-0 win at Watford on the previous Saturday. They appeared on course to end a long home league victory drought when Jacob Bruun Larsen opened the scoring in the 36th minute. A swift counter-attack saw Josh Laurent find the Dane on the left of the penalty area, and he fired a low shot between the legs of Arthur Okonkwo.
Despite holding the advantage, the Clarets offered encouragement through slack possession play. Igor Julio made an important block to shut down a Karlan Grant chance following a misplaced pass from Anel Ahmedhodzic across the penalty area. Burnley captain Kyle Walker then hooked Billy Koumetio’s goalbound attempt off his own goal-line in the 39th minute following a corner from Danny McNamara. Jamie Vardy, making his first start for Burnley since signing at the start of September, miskicked from a low cross in first-half stoppage time, leaving Reo Hatate to curl the loose ball wide.
Largie Ramazani Restores Burnley Lead
Charlton started the second half with immediate intent. Miles Leaburn headed over Tyreece Campbell’s cross from close range before the visitors drew level. Kayne Ramsay hooked the ball in after McNamara’s corner was not cleared by the home defense.
Parity lasted only moments. Largie Ramazani found the bottom-left corner of the net from the edge of the box in the 57th minute, marking his second goal of the season and restoring Burnley’s lead. The hosts applied mounting pressure to secure the match, with Hatate firing wide and Ramazani sending an acrobatic volley over the crossbar. Walker was called upon again in the 76th minute, heading another inviting cross from Campbell over his own crossbar to preserve the narrow lead.
Nicky Hayen Voices Frustration Over Stoppage-Time Goals
The final whistle brought stark contrasts in managerial reaction. Burnley boss Nicky Hayen expressed deep exasperation after watching his side surrender points late in a match for the second time, referencing a similar late setback against Derby.
“For 95 minutes and 40 seconds we were winning our duels and blocking shots, but the game lasted 96 minutes.”
Nicky Hayen, Burnley manager via Sky Sports
“That’s frustrating because in a brutal league like this four points are really important.”
Nicky Hayen, Burnley manager via Burnley Express
Hayen noted that his team failed to manage a late throw-in near the corner flag where they held a numerical advantage. While praising the work rate and defensive duels for the vast majority of the afternoon, he said the team must analyze all stoppage-time goals conceded.
Nathan Jones Praises Charlton Performance at Turf Moor
“We were excellent. In the first half we had less control, but had really clear-cut chances to have taken the lead.”
Nathan Jones, Charlton manager via Sky Sports
Both sides now turn their attention to upcoming fixtures, with Charlton scheduled to face Watford and Burnley set to host Wolverhampton Wanderers.